I 



■ 



■nn 



m 



Class BX^H ^ 
Book rP q.^_^ 



THE * 

SPIRITUAL STEWARD, 

A • 

SERMON, 

PREACHED 
AT THE MEETING OF 

THE ASSOCIATE REFORMED SYNOD, 
IN THE CITY OF NEW-YORK, 

OCTOBER 21, l802. 



BY THE REV. ALEXANDER PROUDFIT, 

MINISTER OF THE GOSTELy SALEM. 



LANSINGBURGH: 

PRINTED BY GARDINER TRACY. 
. 1303. 



PREFACE. 



JL HE following difcourfe, with a very fetw 
4 additions and alterations, makes its appearance from 
the prefs precisely as it was delivered from the pul- 
pit. It would be vanity the molt inexcufable in the 
Author, to affect throwing any light on the duties 
of the minifierial office, which have been fo fre- 
quently and fo fully difcufled by perfbns of matu- 
re r age, of greater experience, and whofe fituatiori 
an life opens larger fources of information on this 
and every other fubjecl. In the providence of 
God he was called to preach on that public occa- 
iion ; and at the repeated requeft of fome, whofe 
judgment he ought to refpeft, he ventures the fer- 
mon to the world. The author trufts, that it may 
occafionally ferve at Idafl as a monitor to hirnfelf, 
and through the bleffing of that fovereign God, 
•who makes foolifh things to confound the wife, and 
weak things to confound the mighty, may not be 
altogether unprofitable to fellow laborers in the 
vineyard of Jehovah. 

All who are in the leaft degree verfed in the 
hiftory of the church ; who are acquainted with hex 



( 4 ) 

profperities and adverfities, and the caufes which 
produced them, muft be impreffed with the unut- 
terable importance of her miniftry. On the pru- 
dence of the ambaifadors of jefus, their patience, 
their felf-denial, their fervent zeal, their deep ac- 
quaintance with the royfteries of the kingdom, and 
their holy heroifm in defending them, depend inti- 
mately, under God, the fuecefs and the glory of 
chriftianity. They are in fcripture emphatically 
reprefented under the emblem of ftars ; and if they 
are obfcured, either by ignorance or error, a gen- 
eral darknefs muft envelope the horizon of the 
church. Natural talents and human learning are 
little noticed in ihe following character of the gof- 
pel Reward ; becaufe however important thefe qual- 
ifications are, they are of inferior importance ; they 
become uieful and ornamental, precifely in propor- 
tion as they are fanttified by the fpirit of Jefus, and 
confecrated to the fervice of his crofs. If thofe 
who bear the veffels of the Lord be erroneous, the 
more fuccefsful they are, the more dangerous, by 
rendering others tenfold more the children of dark- 
nefs than formerly. If they appear indolent and 
indifferent, their example fofters careleffnefs in 
their hearers, and tends to lull them deeper and 
deeper in the flumbers of perdition. The ordina- 
ry Paftor, no lefs than the extraordinary Apoftle, 
fhould he poffefs all knowledge and all myfteries, 



( 5 ) 

yet, without charity, muft become as founding I rafs, 
and a tinkling' cymbal. Intellectual endowments, 
unaccompanied by divine grace, like the blazing 
comet, may dazzle and aftomfh, while he who en- 
dures all things for the elect's fake, like the fun 
in the firmament, exhilarates and cheri flies as he 
ihines. 

If the prefent difcourfe is made inftrumentaT, 
in impreffing a fingle ambaffador of Jefus with 
more becoming conceptions of the importance of 
his office, or of awakening one to greater induftry, 
greater importunity in difcharging the duties of 
his office, the author will confider himfelf more 
than rewarded ; and would now, and eternally 9 
afcribe all to the glory of that fovereignty, which 
out of the mouth oj 'bales and fucklings has perfected 
ftrength. 



Salem, December 24, 1802. 



THE 



SPIRITUAL STEWARD. 



I Cor. iv, I.—" Stewards of the myfterles of God." 

The grace and fovereignty of Jehovah il~ 
hiftrioufly fhine in our redemption, through the 
erofs of lmmanuel. It is a manifeftation of grace 
the moft marvellous, the molt glorious, that any of 
our familv mould be reftored; that after our wilful 
apoftacy from the government of God, and rebel- 
lion againft his crown, we Ihould be reinftated in. 
his favor, dignified with the name and diftinguifhed 
with the inheritance of fons. It excites admiration 
in the higheft, that our recovery fhould be accom- 
plifhed by a plan fo peculiar, a fcheme fo coMy, as 
the fubftitution and death of his only begotten, eter- 
nally beloved Son. " Herein is love : Not that zvc 
loved God, but that he loved ns^ and fent his Son to be 
the propitiation for our Jins" 

Sovereignty alfo mingles her glories with thofe 
of grace, in every part of this wondrous difpenfa- 
tion. While grace difplays her exceeding riches 



( 8 ) 

in the falvation of any, fovereignty mines myfteri- 
ous and awful in determining the objects of this 
falvation ; in choofing fome to adoption, to recon- 
ciliation, to eternal life > while others of the fame 
nation, of the fame fociety, of the fame family, un- 
der the fame opportunities of inftruction, under the 
fame offers of mercy, are utterly paffed by ; are 
delivered up to blindnefs of mind, hardnefs of hearty 
to a rejection of Jefus, the only facrifice for fin, as 
a pledge of eternal condemnation hereafter. 

Jehovah appears no lefs an adorable fovereign, 
in the very inftruments by whom this redemption 
is applied to the eleBion of grace. Whom does he 
ufually raife up and employ for this important pur- 
pofe ? Does he fallen upon the unfinning angels, 
thofe exalted fpirits who bafe in the glories of his 
throne, whofe larger capacities qualify them for un. 
derllanding more fully, and unfolding more per- 
fectly, the myfteries of redemption? No; their a- 
poftate tribes are not chofen to be the bleffed par- 
takers of this falvation; neither are their unfinning 
tribes honored to be inftrumental in applying it. 
What rank of the human family is ordinarily em- 
ployed for promoting the kingdom of Jefus, and 
applying to the fouls of others the reconciliation of 
his crofs ? Does the living God raife up fome pre- 
ternatural order, perfons fuperior to their fellow- 
creatures, naturally diftinguifhed by purer morals 3 



( 9 ) 

by a more comprehensive understanding or com- 
manding utterance ? No; was this the plan purfu- 
ed by the Eternal, the fuccefs of his gofpei would 
probably be afcribed to the excellence of the in- 
ftruments employed. The veffel naturally moll: 
frail, mod foul, debafed by every ipecies of open 
and grofs abomination, has frequently been puri- 
fied, and appointed to contain this immortal treal- 
ure. " Bafe things of the zoorld, and things which 
are defpifed, hath God chef en,- that no fief h fiozdd glo- 
ry in his prcfcncc" He ordinarily ufes inftrument| 
the mod inhgnincant, feemingly the mod unequal 
to the work, that his own wifdpm, and power, and 
fovereignty, may more vifibly be traced in every 
part of the dilpenfation. A few fifhermen, perfons 
of low occupation in life, unlearned in the fciences, 
and unfkilled in the policies of this world, were Se- 
lected as the ufual companions of our Lord; and 
their preaching, afterwards, was the great engine of 
Spreading his gofpei among the nations of the earth. 
Saul, once a malignant perfecuior, a man injurious 
to the Redeemer's caufe, who had uttered the foul- 
etl blafphemies againft the Saviour's crofs ; this ve- 
ry Saul is converted and rendered the chief apof- 
tle of this very crofs ; glories in it as his only Sal- 
vation; proclaims it as the only hope of perifhing 
linners. " We have this treafurc" he exclaims, a- 

doring equally the depth of divine condefcenfion 

B 



( 10 ) 

and fovereignty — " We have this treafurc 'in earthen 
vejfels, that the excellency of the power may he of God, 
and not oj us. We are flezcards of the myjlerics of 

Gcdr. 

The term myfteries. here ufed by the apoftle, 
occurs very frequency in the volume of divine in- 
fpiration. Without enquiring particularly into its 
real origin, or ufual figpification, it may be fuffi- 
cient to remark, that myfleries ) as employed in the 
facred oracles, generally imply thofe truths which 
our reafon, unaffifted by revelation, could never 
have difcovered; and which, after they are reveal- 
ed, our finite, contracted underftandings, are inca- 
pable fully to comprehend. The myfteries com- 
mitted to the minifters of reconciliation, {imply im- 
ply the everlafiing gofpel ; all thofe doctrines, all 
that difcipline; thofe feals of the covenant alfo, 
which are employed by the adorable head of the 
church, for the inM ruction, the correction and edi- 
fication of his fpiritual houfehold. 

The perfons entrufced with thefe myfteries are 
denominated fleivards. There is an evident allu- 
fion to a pra£tice which prevailed in early periods 
of the world ; particularly in the families of the op- 
ulent and honorable. A perfon of known integri- 
ty and talents was chofen, to whom, under the char- 



( ■« ) 

after of a /levari, the proprietor of the houfe com- 
mitted the immediate difpofal of his goods, and 
management of his family ; accountable, however, 
in all refpe&s, to him by whom he was appointed 
to this ftewardfhip. We read in facred hi (lory, of 
a Reward in the family of Abraham, in the family 
of Jofeph, in the families of particular kings of If- 
rael and Chaldea. This character is frequently ap- 
plied to the miniiiers of reconciliation, and exprefT- 
es the great importance and awful refponfibility of 
their office. By Jefus Jehovah, the fupreme Fouler 
and Lawgiver of the divine houfe, they are now 
entrufted with the treafure of the gofpel. This they 
are required to difpenfe to his family on earth, as 
they mull anfwer hereafter, at his appearing and 
kingdom. 

The pertinency of thttffubjeS; to the prefent 
occalion, is abundantly obvious. We are ordinari- 
ly employed in illuftraiing and enforcing the duty of 
others, as men : It is more appropriate, at prefent, 
to illuftrate and apply our own obligations as min- 
ifters. May the un&ion of the Holy One liberally 
defcend, and influence every heart, while we at- 
tempt-— 

I. To enumerate a few of thofe myfteries 
which are contained in the gofpel : And, 



C 12 ) 

II. Illuftrate the chara&er and obligations of 
tbofe to whom thefe myfteries are entrufted : Stew- 
ards — Stewards of the myfteries of God. 

1. The Trinity in Jehovah, may be numbered 
among the myfteries of the gofpel : Three adorable 
perfons, neccffarily, effentially, eternally equal ; — 
one in efience, one in perfection and glory. This 
doftrine was revealed obfeureiy in the Old Tefta- 
ment; but is taught with greater perfpicuity and 
glory in the New. The apoftle fpeaks of " the myf 
tery of God, and of the Father, and of Chri/l" An 
evangel! ft announces, that 44 there be Three which 
bare record in heaven ; the lather, and the Word, 
and the Holy Ghojl : Thefe Three are One" This 
truth is taught, not barely as a fubj«ecl: of fpeculation 
to the underftanding, but a fource of rich, unutter- 
able confolation to the heart. The believer in Jefus 
is privileged to enjoy real, diftir.61 communion with 
each of the adorable Three ; with the Father in bis 
love; with the Son in his grace; with the Holy Ghoft 
in his fan&ifying, comforting influences. It confti- 
tutes the privilege, and fecurity, and glory, of each 
heir of falvation, that he is « elected according to the 
foreknozoledge of God, the Father, through fanBifica- 
tion of thefpirit, unto obedience and fprinkling of the 
blood of Jefus Chri/l y and that once elected, and 
fanaified, and juftifted, he lhall be infallibly and e- 
verlaftingly glorified. 



( >3 ) 

2. The incarnation of the eternal Son, is ano- 
ther my fiery of the ever glorious gofpel. " Without 
controversy^ great is the myjlery of godlinefs : God 
manifejled in the fiejli" His affumption of our na- 
ture, appropriating our guilt, fuffering in our room, 
bringing in everlafting righteoufnefs for our recon- 
ciliation, forms an efiential, a molt interefting part 
of that heavenly treafure committed to our trull ; 
and ought to conftitute the Alpha and Omega of ev- 
ery administration, whether public or private. — 
From Jefus and his crofs, all the revelation of God 
derives its meaning, its value and glory. There the 
law of Mofes, with its cofily obfervances, the pre- 
dictions of prophets, and the preaching of apoftles, 
all meet, as their common centre. For Meffiah's 
appearance in the rlefli, and his accornpliffiment of 
our redemption, believers under the Old Teftarnent 
looked forward with anxious expectation ; and to 
thefe events, the ranfomed, through eternity, will 
look back with adoring gratitude : They will be 
ever acknowledging this deceafe y accomplijlied at Je- 
rufalern^ as the foundation of all they expected on 
earth, and all they experience in heaven. In Chrift, 
and him crucified, all the perfections of Deity are 
glorified to the very uttermoft : The law is magni- 
fied in its precept, vindicated in its penalty; the in- 
juries of juftice repaired ; the ofFence of holinefs 
removed ; while mercy, grace and condefcenfioa 



( H ) 

fhine with unparalleled luftre. Through Chrifr r 
and him crucified, all the wants of the finner are 
fupplied. By the blood of his covenant, fprinkled 
upon the conference, the vileft of the vile are purg- 
ed from dead works. Through his righteoufnefs 
imputed, they are completely and eternally juftified 
in the fight of Jehovah ; and by his grace, fhed a- 
broad through their hearts, they are fan&ified and 
prepared for the inheritance of immortality. So 
important, fo glorious is this my fiery, the Son of 
God incarnate, and fufFering for our fins, that pa- 
triarchs rejoiced, leaped up, to fee his day afar off ' • 
prophets enquired diligently, who tefiified before- 
hand the fufferings of Chrift, and the glory that fliould 
follow ; apoftles determined to know nothing but 
Jefus Chrifl, and him crucified ; angels look into 
it 3 with ever new. ever increaling admiration. 

3. The regeneration and fanftirication cf the 
finner, by the eternal Spirit, is another myftery, 
with which, as Rewards in the family of Jefus, we 
are entrufted. The apoftle, therefore, pronounces 
it not only a my fiery of godlinefs, God manifefled in 
the fiefh, but believed on in the world, and fpeaks in 
another epiftie of the myfiery of faith. This grace* 
which unites the finner to the Saviour, and inter- 
elts him in the great falvation % is effe&ed in a man- 
ner utterly inconceivable to us. Although the 



( *5 ) 

change produced in the foul, at its tranflation from 
death to life, is abundantly obvious ; new fears 9 
new defires, new joys, new hopes, inilantly fpring 
up ; yet the manner by which this change is produ- 
ced is altogether my&erious, utterly unfearchable 
by us. " The zoind bloweth where it UJleth ; we 
hear the found thereof, but cannot tell whence it com* 
zth) or whither it gceth ; Jo is every one that is born 
of the Spirit." Who can conceive or describe that 
gracious influence, by which the underftanding, 
once dark, is now enlightened ; the will once fiub- 
born^ is now fubdued to the obedience of faith ; the 
ions, formerly fenfual and earthly, are now el- 
evated to things fpiritual and divine ; the whole 
man transformed, tre.nflated from death to life, 
from corruption to holinefs, from things temporal 
to things eternal. The believer himfelf, although 
the favored fubjecl of this fan&ifying Spirit, is un- 
able to trace the manner of his operations. He 
can, however, maintain, and maintain with a con- 
fidence which all the fophiftry of earth or hell fliall 
never be able to overthrow, "whereas I was blind^ 
now I fee" I difcover new excellencies and glo- 
ries in the Saviour, new wifdom and condefcenfion 
in the method of reconciliation through his obedi- 
ence and crofs, new fweetnefs and precioufnefs in 
the promifes, new fuitablenefs and fuffidencv in 



( t6 ) 



the everlafting covenant. Thefe are all my falva- 
tion, and all my defire. 

4. To thefe we may add, the refurrection of 
the body; the awards of the general judgment; the 
adjudication of the righteous to endlefs life, of the 
"wicked to endlefs perdition ; as other mvfteries of 
the gofpel committed to our charge. The manner 
by which the refurre&ion from the dead will be ef- 
fected ; the particular body in which they fhall ap- 
pear ; the part of the univerfe where all the nations, 
when raifed, fnall he placed ; the procedure of the 
great Judge in determining their unalterable doom ; 
the instrumentality of ele£t angels in railing the 
dead, in arranging :hem for judgment, in conduct- 
ing the righteous to manfions of blifs, and hurrying 
the damned to their gloomy abodes, are inconceiv- 
able to us. " Behold," fays the apoftle, " behold I 
Jhew you a myjlery ; We Jliall not all Jleep ; but we 
Jhall be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an 
eye, at the toft trump : For the trumpet Jhall found, 
and the dead fhall be raifed incorruptible, and we fnall 
be changed : For this corruptible muft put on incor- 
ruption y and this mortal mnjl put on immortality " 

Thefe are a part of thefe myfteries, with 
which, as Rewards of the kingdom, we are folemn- 
lv entrufted. Thefe it becomes us to difpenfe, 



< *7 ) 

without referve, without partiality^ without hypoc- 
rify, to that houfe over which the Holy Ghojl hath 
'made us over Jeers. 

Having attempted briefly to enumerate thefe 
myftexies, we proceed — 

II. To illuftrate the character and obligation 
of thofe to whom they are committed : Stewards — 
Stewards of the myjleries of God. 

i. The fteward is freely elected and appointed 
by the proprietor of the houfe. He who daringly 
rufhes into the family of another, and takes poflef- 
fion of his property without a regular invitation, is 
chargeable equally with prefumption and folly. He 
can neither afk the prefent fupport of his lr. after, 
nor afterwards expect a reward from his hand. E- 
qually neceffary is it that the minifter of reconcilia- 
tion be divinely chofen to that office ; that he be 
duly called by jefus Jehovah, the great matter of 
the fpiritual houfe. No emergence of the church, 
however peculiar ; no neceffity for laborers, how- 
ever preffing ; no advantages ariling from natural 
talents, from the aids of education, or other consid- 
erations, can juflify any in aifuming the minifterial 
office, unlefs lawfully called. The fovereign Lord 

C 



( 1* ) 

of the houfe, jealous of his royal prerogatives* 
meets the intruder with that heart rending chal- 
lenge — " Who hath required this at your hand and 
writes his prefumption in his punifhment — " I have 
net fent him, nor commanded him : There/ore he JJiall 
not profit this people at all. No man taketh this hon. 
or to himfelf, but he that is called oj God, as was Aa~ 
ron" Let us paufe a moment, and impartially en- 
quire — Are we fent and appointed of the Lord 
God to this ftewardfnip ? Have we been careful to 
make Jure our calling and election, not only as men, 
but as minifters ? This queftion intimately concerns 
the glory of that Jefus whom we ferve; the dignity 
of that caufe in which we are embarked; the edifi- 
cation of that church which we are appointed to o- 
verfee ; our own peace, and confidence, and tri- 
umph, as individuals. How would it fupport in 
the hour of difficulty ; how would it embolden in 
the difcharge of every duty, could we carry our 
commiffion in our hand, and with the prophet con- 
fidently proclaim — " The Lord God and his Spirit 
hath fent me" Then might we daily look up to our 
matter, for firength proportioned to our daily crofs, 
and expect his bleffing on thofe labors which we 
perform in obedience to his command. 

A full, formal enquiry, into the nature of this 
call to the minifterial office, is not intended at pref- 



f *9 ) 

ent. It may not, however, be impertinent to re- 
mark, that he who is divinely chofen to this work, 
-will experience the love of Jehovah the Redeemer, 
kindling in his heart. He will feel this heavenly 
flame burning up the drofs of felf eafe, felf-intereft, 
felf promotion. He will be conftrained by a holy 5 
an irrefiilible neceflity, to preach the gofpel ; to 
fpend, and to be fpent ; to occupy his time, his tal- 
ents, in promoting the kingdom of that Jefus who 
bought us with his blood. His bofom will occa- 
iionally melt with tender compaffion towards his 
brethren, by nature, who are in danger of perifh- 
ing eternally. He will cheerfully renounce each 
worldly profpecl, his temporal eafe and indulgence, 
nay, life itfelf, to become inftrumental in refcuing 
them from never ending ruin. Animated with the 
fame fpirit, he will burli forth in the exclamation of 
the great apoftle — " / endure all tilings for the elect's 
fake, that they may obtain falvation, which is in Chrifh 
Jefus, -with eternal glory ^ 

2. The Reward acling agreeably to his ftation, 
aims at adapting himfelf to the varied circumftances 
of the houfehold. He endeavors to difpenfe that 
portion which is mod fuited to their peculiar age 
and neceflities. This will equally be the concern 
of each fteward in the heavenly family, who has im- 
bibed the fpirit of his office. This is called in krip* 



( 20 ) 

ture, <c rightly dividing the -word of truth ; giving to 
every one their portion of meat in due feafon and 
may with propriety be pronounced the mod difficult 
part of minifterial duty. Much diligence is requi- 
fite for knowing the ftate of our flock ; and much 
difcernment for accommodating our public admini- 
firations to their refpeQive capacities. Some are 
ignorant, and require inftru6lion; others are fecure ? 
and ought to be alarmed ; others are prefumptuous, 
and require to be fhaken from their unfcriptural 
confidences. The weak need to be ftrengthened; the 
■wavering to be confirmed ; the wandering to be re- 
flored ; the fearful to be emboldened ; the droop- 
ing to be fjfpported, with the confolations of the 
covenant. 

Could no other argument be adduced, this a- 
bundantly evinces the propriety of a ftationary min- 
iftry, and of each minifter familiarly vifiting and 
converfmg with his flock. The phyfician mud ex- 
amine his patient, before he can adminifter his med- 
icine with judgment : The vine-drefier mud go from 
tree to tree, before he knows whether to dig around 
and dung, or with a pruning-knife to lop off the ex- 
uberant branch : The teacher muft enquire into the 
age cf the fcholar, his ability, his progrefs in learn- 
ing, before he can judicioufly direct his future ftud- 
ies. Thus he who would approve himfelf faithful 



I 21 ) 

to his adorable matter, or become fuccefsful in the 
falvation of fouls, mult diligently, muft painfully 
enquire into their fcrifrtJW^kconditioru 

Bear with me, refpected Fathers and Brethren* 
if 1 take the liberty of enlarging on this duty ; be- 
caufe it is fcarcely more important than unfafhion- 
able; and probably the languor of living godlinefs 
in our churches, the rare inftances of converfion 
under our adminiftrations, may be afcribed partly* 
if not principally, to this neglecl. We are not ca- 
pable rightly to divide the word of truth ; to difpenfe 
in public the myfteries of the kingdom, according 
to the circumftances of the family; becaufe we are 
not more employed in private converging with the 
family, enquiring into their various exercifes, their 
anxieties, their doubts, their difcouragements. — 
Confequences the molt glorious attended the revi- 
val of this primitive practice in .Geneva, under the 
mini flry of Calvin, and in various CHher places, at 
the commencement of the reformation. While min- 
ifters, with their ruling elders, induftrioufly went a- 
round from houfe to houfe; while they carried their 
appeal immediately to the tinner's confcience, teach- 
ing every man, and warning every man^ their labors 
became eminently fuccefsful : The ignorant were 
inftructed; the fecure alarmed; the weak, the def- 
pondent, ftrengthened and edified. 



3. The fteward endeavors to manifeft forbear- 
ance with the members of the houfe. Concern for 
the interefts of his Iord/'indiic'esliim to exercife pa- 
tience, not only with the weaknefs, but even the 
wickednefs of thofe committed to his charge. A 
difpofition, this, of difficult attainment ; yet indif- 
penfibly requifite in the minifter of reconciliation. 
Numerous infults, much derifion, muft be expect- 
ed. Thofe who are at eafe will frequently deride 
our admonitions as impertinent; as only calculated 
to ruffle their repofe. The drunkard will revile us asr 
unnecefTarily precife ; as unfriendly to human hap- 
pinefs. The impure will attempt juftifying them- 
fel ves, by the backflidings of Lot, of David, and 
other eminent faints. The f wearer will probably 
reward our rebukes with replying, that he intended 
no evil, or that he injured none but himfelf. All* 
this infult mail be expected; all this, out of com* 
paffion to precious,-peri(hing fouls, ought patiently 
to be endured. Although the drowning man dees 
riot immediately feize the rope thrown out for his 
relief ; yet a concern for his prefervation would o- 
blige to continue the offer. Although the man con- 
flicting with fome malignant difeafe, through igno- 
rance, may reject the medicine when adminiftered ; 
yet a regard for his recovery will conftrain to repeat 
the application. Rather, infinitely rather, mould 
we patiently perfevere with finners ? when their fa.U. 



( n ) 

v-ation or damnation for eternity are at flake. " The 
fervant of the Lord mujl not flrive, but be gentle to 
all ; apt to teach ; patient in meeknefs ; inflruBing 
thofe that oppofe them/elves ; if God per adventure will 
give them repentance, to the acknowledging of the 
truth" " Reprove, rebuke, exhort," is the apoftolic 
injunaion, " with all longfuffering and doclrine" — 
Our feelings may rather be injured for a time, than 
their fouls damned for eternity. Befides, the con- 
verfion of [inner s fo obiiinate, conftitutes our no- 
bleft triumphs ; it excites in the fpirits of thejufi 
the loudefl hallelujahs now, and will form the bright- 
er! jewels in our crown hereafter. Noble, in this 
refpect, worthy our imitation, was the conduct of 
the apoftles of the Lamb— u Being reviled, we blefs ; 
being perfecuted, we fuffer it ; being defamed, we in- 
treat ; lefl zve fhould hinder the gofpel of Chrift" 

But this forbearance is not neceffary barely 
towards the unprincipled and profligate; there is 
equal neceffity of exercifing it towards the living 
members of the body of Chrid. As in the family 
of nature, fo in the family of grace, there is an al- 
mofi infinite variety of difpofition. Much imper- 
fection adheres to the bert, arifing partly from ig- 
norance, partly from prejudices of education, and 
cuftom ; partly from the remains of a legal fpirit, 
and various other caufes ; and a concern for their 
edification calls loudly for the exercife of prudence 



( H ) 

and patience. It is probably to this yielding, ac- 
commodating difpofition, the apoftle alludes in the 
following paffage " Unto the Jew, 1 became as a 
Jew; that I might gam the Jew. To the weak, I 
became as weak ; that I might gain the weak. I am 
made all things to all men ; that I might by all mean- 
fave fo??ie" 

4. The fteward is in all refpefts refponfible to 
him by whom he was called to the office, rle U 
anfwerable for every part of his conducl; not only 
for the difpofition of his mailer's goods, but alio 
for his behaviour towards the members of the 
Loufe. An imprefiion of our refponfibility as offi- 
cers in the family of Jefus, ought to reign fupreme 
in our hearts, and roufe to the moft diligent dis- 
charge of every duty. It is the polar fiar, to which 
every adminiftration, both public and private, 
ought unvaryingly to centre. The great ruler of 
the houfe, in committing the treafure to his differ- 
ent Rewards, pontively commands, * 4 Occupy until 
I come when the reckoning will be required. 
While this consideration calls to unwearied dili- 
gence in difcharging the duties of our high voca- 
tion, it alfo requires the mod rigid impartiality in 
difpenfmg the myfteries of the kingdom. Solemn, 
awful confideration ! For each diftribution of this 
facred provifion ; for every admifuon to, or exclu- 



{ 2 5 ) 

fion from, the privileges of the boufe, we muft give 
account to Him, whofe eyes are as a Jlame of jire / 
who is now our omnifcient witnefs ; who will fhort- 
ly appear as our impartial Judge, and render to ev- 
ery man according to his work. This all-folemn re- 
flection did the great God, our Saviour, frequently 
revive in the minds of his apoftles ; and by it ad- 
monifhed them to unwearied indufhy and zeal in 
his fervice. " Behold I come quickly : Hold /aft that 
which thou hafl. Watch ye, therefore, for ye know 
not what hour your Lord cometh. Let your loins be 
girded about, and your lights burning, and ye your- 
/elves like unto men that zuait for their Lord." This 
awful reflection did the great apoftle urge powerful- 
ly on Timothy, his fon ; and through him on the 
fervants of the crofs, in every fucceeding age : " / 
charge thee, therefore, before God and the Lord J ejus 
Chrijl, who Jhall judge the quick and the dead, at his 
appearing and kingdom ; preach the word ; do the 
xvork of an evangelijl ; make full proof of thy min- 
ifiry." 

5. The Reward naturally expects a fuitable re- 
ward for his fervices. He looks up to the propri- 
etor of the houfe for an honorable compenfation. 
In this refpea, our divinely gracious mailer has 
given the Rewards in his family the moft abundant 

D 



( 26 ) 

foul-fupporting encouragement. While he fore- 
warned us, without referve,of all the pain, the pov- 
erty, the reproach, the persecution, which might be 
expeaed ; that we mould be hated of all men for 
his name's fake ; defpifed by the gay, as gloomy 
and melancholy ; ridiculed by the worldly wife, as 
ignorant and enthufiaftic ; reproached by the great, 
as mean and contemptible ■ difdained by the car- 
nally fecure, as difturbing the peace of fociety, as 
turning the world upjtde down; he encourages, a- 
midft ail this contempt, with the profpecl of an ex- 
ceeding and eternal weight of glory. » There is no 
man, that hath forfaken," is his own declaration • a 
declaration, full of condefcenfion on his part — full 
of confolation on ours : 44 There is no man, that hath 
forfaken houfes, or brethren, or lands, for my fake and 
the gofpel, but he fliall receive an hundred fold ; now y 
in the prefent time, zoith perfections ; and in the 
world to come, eternal life." Does our profefiion 
expofe to outward poverty ? He promifes in rever- 
fion his own unfearchable riches. Are we called to 
take up our crofs ? This will fhortly be fucceeded 
by a crown incorruptible. Does our mafter call to 
unwearied diligence, to be injlant in feafon and 
out of feafon ? This fliall be rewarded by an eter- 
nity of eafe and enjoyment. 44 They fliall refl from 
iheir labors. To him that overcometh, I will give to 
fit down with me on my throne" How did the foul 



( 27 ) 



t)f the great apoftle fwell beyond the chains of per- 
fecution, and rife fuperior to all oppofition, while 
he contemplated that glory which was afterwards to 
to be revealed. This profpeft feemingly foftened 
the rigors of fatigue, gilded the gloom of the dun- 
geon, blunted the edge of the fword, quenched the 
violence of flames, and brightened with the light 
of heaven the dark vale and fliadow of death. 

None of theje things trouble me ;" not all that their 
ingenuity can devife, or their power perpetrate : 
u Neither hold I my life dear ; that I may finijli my 
eourfe with joy 9 and the mini fir y which 1 have receive 
ed of the Lord Jefus 9 to declare the grace of God. If 
zve be dead with him y we Jhall alfo live with him ; if 
we fuffer with him> we Jhall alfo reign with him" 
Equal to the bold, dignified challenges of his life, 
were the triumphs of his dying hour. ** I am now 
ready to be offered ; and the time of my departure is 
at hand" 

Compared with tb^fe*/' hoy bafe, how con- 
temptible, have been the lalt expreffions of thofe 
admired as heroes, as poets, as philosophers ; of 
thofe who by their valour have rifen to empire, or 
by the efforts of genius have borne away the palm 
of literary fame. " I have -fought a good fight: I 
have finijlied my eourfe : I have kept the faith. 
Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of right- 



( 23 ) 

coufncfs, which the Lord, the righteous judge, Jkati 
give me at that day ; and not to me only, but to all 
them that love his appearing " 

The application fuggefted by this do&rine, ia 
equally obvious and interefting. 

i. Since the gofpel of Jehovah is a myftery, 
its neglect or oppofition, by an ungodly age, and 
even by the worldly wife* of that age, is caufe, 
neither of furprife, nor difcouragement. w The 
preaching of the crofs is, to them that perifh, fool- 
ifhnefs." 66 Chrift crucified, 1 ' in every period of 
the world, has been to many, {fi a (lone of (tumbling, 
and a rock of offence ; the favour of death unto 
death." The reafon is obvious. The human un- 



* The author, by no means, acknowledges, that the pre- 
ponderancy of natural talents, or acquired learning, is, or has 
been, on the fide of infidelity ; becaufe the contrary is fact. The 
living God, in righteous ibvereignty, may fuffer many, who arc 
carnally wife, to become fs\igw^ fools ; yet in different ages, I 
may add, in every agej^folke w^o'have afcended the very fum- 
mit of literary eminence, have believed, and advocated cur holy 
religioD. Chriftianity can number among her fons, a Gro- 
tius, a Newton, a Beyle, a Bacon, a Locke, a Milton, an Ad- 
difon ; who, for every accomplilhmenr, both natural and ac- 
quired, may be pronounced the hrighteft ornaments of human 
nature. Thefe illuftrious men, although they entertained differ- 
ent fentiments refpefting particular doctrines of fcripture, yet 
cordially concurred in receiving it as a revelation from heaven, 
and in recommending it as worthy of all acceptation. Even in our 



( *9 ) 

«lerftanding is naturally blind, and cannot; of itfelfj 
difcover his excellence or glory. The man with- 
out eyes, cannot difcern the light of the fun, or ad- 
mire the beauty of colours : He who is deftitute of 
hearing, cannot be charmed with the melodies of 
mufic : Having loft the fenfe of fmelling, he is in- 
capable of relifhing the fragrance of the rofe. As 
in natural, in fpiritual* things alfo, fenfes muft be 
pofTeffed, fuitable to the objects to be difcerned* 
46 The natural man receiveth not the things of the 
fpirit of God : They are foolifhnefs unto him : 
Neither can he know them, becaufe they are fpirit- 
ually difcerned." Whatever diverfity may appear 



own age, which a noted blafpheraeif of the Saviour's crofs has 
complimented as the age of reafon, hundreds can be found, natu- 
rally as rational as himfelf> and whofe reafon has not been prof- 
tituted by foul intoxication, who believe that all fcripture is giv- 
en by infpiration of God ; who have meeknefs and modefty e- 
nough to fit at the feet of Jefus, and adore thofe myfteries of his 
gofpel, which they are unable fully to comprehend. 



f The allufion to Thomas Pained the author of the " Age 
of Reafon," is too obvious to require explanation. I (hall, there- 
fore, tranfcribe the very words of a mafterly defender of the 
Chriftian faith, refpecting that retailer of infidelity. " As to 
Paine, he is well known to have been a profane fvvearer and 
drunkard. We have evidence upon oath, that religion was his 
favorite topic when intoxicated." 

Fuller's Gofpel its oivn Witnefs. — ConduB of beli&srs 
and unbelievers.— -Page 98. 



( 30 ) 

among men naturally, fome pofleffing leffer, other* 
larger capacities ; whatever difference may arife 
from the advantages of education ; in fpiritual 
things all are equally blind, until enlightened by 
Jehovah the Spirit. "Fork is written — "I will 
deftroy the wifdom of the wife, and bring to no- 
thing the undenlanding of the prudent." " Where 
is the wife man ? Where is the fcribe ? Where is 
the difputer of this world? Hath not God made 
foolifh the wifdem of this world ?" True it is, emi- 
nence of natural genius, improved by liberal learn- 
ing, and fan&ified by the fpirit of wifdom, give an 
immenfe fuperiority. Poffeffed of fuch qualifica- 
tions, the man is capable of fearching more tho- 
roughly the myfteries of redemption; of pointing 
out their confidence with the divine character and 
government; of arranging their doctrines, and (i- 
lencing the cavils of unbelievers. But firft her 
muft learn cf the Father : Like a ftar of larger fize, 
he may mine with fuperior luftre ; but he himfelf 
muft firft be enlightened by the Sun of Righteouf- 
nefs. 

2. We learn from this palfage, what are thofe* 
truths which ought principally to occupy our atten- 
tion ; which mould conftitute the great theme of 
our private ftudies, and public adminiftration ; the- 
plain 3 peculiar doftrines of the crofs ; the fimple 



( 3i ) 

truths of revelation ; neither recommended by hu- 
man wifdom, nor accommodated to human prejudice 
or corruption. We are appointed Rewards, not of 
the learning of the fchools; not of the difcoveries of 
philofophy ; not of the charms of moral fpecula- 
don ; but of the myfteries of God. Thefe it be- 
comes us humbly to improve, as tinners, that re- 
quire a free falvatiom Thefe it becomes us to 
difpenfe, with all fimplicity, to that houfehold 
over which " the Holy-Ghoft hath made us over- 
feers." This is the provifion, which the glorious 
proprietor hath committed to our truft : And to be 
addrefTing our hearers with harangues merely mo- 
ra 1, with refined fentiments, or learned fpecuiations, 
would be to offer Iiufks, or Jluhble^ or fir aw , while 
in our Father's houfe is bread immortal and. divine. 
Thefe obfervations, however familiar, cannot be 
too frequently realifed : They were, perhaps, never 
more important, nor more feafonable, than in the 
age in which we live. There is an uncommon af- 
fectation, at prefent, to fafhion the gofpel of Jefus 
after the wifdom of the world. Is not natural reli- 
gion frequently recommended, to the degradation 
of revealed ? Are not virtue, morality, good-will to 
all, lavifhly extolled; while the cardinal doctrines,, 
of peace with God, through the crofs of ImmanueJ ; 
juflification, through his eternal righteoufnefs ; re- 
generation and fanclification, by the efficacy of his 



( 3* ) 

grace, are overlooked, if not rejected ? A late wri- 
ter, with more hardihood than ufual, has afcribed 
the alarming progrefs of infidelity to the preaching 
of the peculiar doclrines of chriftianity. On this 
aflertion, fuffice it to remark, that the difcovery has 
been made lince the age of the apoltles, and is taught 
by another infpiration than the Holy-Ghoft. They 
ipake 44 the wifdom of God in a myftery :" They 
"determined to know nothing but Jeius Chrift, and 
him crucified They preached not in " the enti- 
cing words of man's wifdom ; left the crofs of 
Chrift mould become of none effecl but in the 
* c words which the Holy-Ghoft teacheth ; compar- 
ing fpiritual things with fpiritual." And the fac~t is 
too notorious to be denied, that when their fuccefT- 
ors endeavored to recommend themfelves, by blend- 
ing philofophy with divinity ; the gofpel of Jefus 
with the learning of the fchools ; purity of doctrine 
degenerated in the church,* and living godlinefs 
ianguilhed in the heart. The experiment is equally 



* The author takes the liberty of inferting the fallowing 
remark, of the very learned and judicious Dr. Owen ; and the 
remaik is the more entitled to our attention, as it founded 
upon undeniable fact. In hi? hi (lory of the herefies which eaily 
reproached the church, and the caufes which produced them, he 
adds — " The pretended defence of truth, with arts and arms of 
another kind than the Pimple application of fcripture, has been 
the bane of religion, and loft the peace of chriftians beyond re- 



f 33 ) 



blafphemous and vain, to attempt amending the wiC, 
dom of Jehovah by the wifdom of mortals. Em^ 
boldened, therefore, by apoftolic example, and en- 
couraged by apoftolic fuccefs, let us determine to 
rejoice in nothing as men, to proclaim nothing as 
miniflers, but Jfefus Chrift, and him crucified ; to 



covery; and it may be obferveJ, that whilfl this way alone, the 
life of fcripture for the prefei vation of truth, Was infilled on, 
that although innumerable herefies arofe one after another, they 
never made any great progrefs, nor attained unto any fuch con- 
fillency as to make a Rated oppofition to the truth ; but ihe er- 
rors themfelves, and their authors, were as Vagrant meteors, 
which appeared a little and vanished away. Afterwards it was 
not fo, when other ways and means, for ihe fuppreftion of he*e- 
iies were judged convenient and needful. The Lord ChriH:," 
adds this illustrious champion, in language full of confolation 
and triumph, u The Lord Chrift, continued 1 , his word, with the 
faithful roinillry, to reveal, declare and vindicate the facred 
truth, for the conviction of gainfayers ; and if we are not want- 
ing to our duty, through the aids of divine grace promifed us, 
we fhali finally triumph in this caufe, and tranfmit this truth, in- 
violate, to them that fucceed us in the profetlion of it." 

Ozvens preface to his " Per Jon and glory of Cbrifi" 

To this may be added, the remarks of a late, very elegant, 
and ingenious author. After pronouncing the peculiar doc- 
trines of the crofs to have been the great engine of reformation, 
he laments our prefent departure from thefe doctrines ; and. rep- 
refents our prefent degeneracy of practice, as the immediate 
confequence of fuch departure. " They profefs to make it their 
chief object to inculcate the moral and practical precepts of chrif- 
tianity, without fufficieiitly maintaining, oftea without juhUy 

E 



( 84 ) 

wield, in our warfare, thofe weapons which are not 
carnal, but fpiritual ; and then we may confidently 
truft, that they will be mighty through God, for the 
converfion and falvation of fouls. 

Let none conclude from thefe obfervations, 
that the religion of nature is renounced, or the ex- 
cellence of morality denied. Shall we be charged 
with defpifing the gentle flowings of the rivulet, 
merely becaufe we exprefs greater emotions at the 
more majeftic movements of the ocean ; or with re- 
je&ing the light of the ftars, becaufe we kindle with 
greater admiration at the more dating glories of 
the fun ? We preach the neceffity of love to God, 
not indeed as the foundation of our acceptance, 
but the effect of his love, Jliining in the face of Jefus 
Chrift. We profefs the neceffity of repentance, al- 
though not the condition of our reconciliation, yet 
as a grace, wrought in the heart, by the Holy 
Ghoft. We exhibit the moral law, not indeed to 



laying, the grand foundation of the Tinner's acceptance with 
God, or pointing out how the practical precepts of chriftianity 
grow out of her peculiar doctrines, and are infeparably connected 
with them. By this fatal error, the very genius and eflential 
nature of chriftianity underwent a change. She no longer re- 
tained her peculiar character, or produced that appropriate frame 
of fpirifc, by whick her followers had been characterifed." 

Wllbcforcis Fiew—iGB, z6g. 



( 35 ) 

be obeyed for falvation, but as fulfilled in its pre- 
cept by the life, as fatisfied in its penalty by the 
death, of the everlafting furety, and now propofed 
as the rule of our obedience in his hand. We 
maintain the excellence of morality, of love to 
God, of good will to men, although not as procu- 
ring the favor of the Eternal, yet as bleffed confe- 
quences of our union to the Son of God, and influ- 
ences derived from him, as our ever-living- Head* 
We acknowledge the charms of virtue, of patience 
under fufFering, of forgivenefs to thofe who injure 
us, of compaffion towards our fellow-mortals in dif- 
trefs : But this virtue, this patience, this forbear- 
ance,- thefe compaflions, like fo many plants of 
righteoufnefs, muft grow on Calvary, and be nour- 
iihed with the blood of its crofs. " Do we then 
make void the law through faith ? God forbid - 9 
yea, we eftablifh the law." 

3. We learn from this doctrine, the impor- 
tance of being wholly occupied in the duties of our 
office ; of being employed, either privately explo- 
ring thefe myfteries of the kingdom, or publicly 
diftributing them to the neceffities of the family. 
It is caufe of humiliation and grief, that many, who 
were once folemnly confecrated to the fervice of 
the gofpel, afterwards reiinquifli, in part, their oc- 
cupation : They proftitiite their time and talents to 



( 36 ) 

purpofes widely different and inferior. One be- 
comes embarraffcd with the cares of this world » 
another affumes the ftatefman, by engaging in po- 
litical difcuffions ; another is involved in philo- 
fophical refcarch, or in fome other purfuit, foreign 
to his minifterial office. Thefe exercifes, as ap- 
plied to the fpiritual Reward, may be pronounced 
finving) but not lawfully. Thus to be occupied, is 
indeed running a race, but wandering from the path 
which leads to the prize. " No man that warreth, 
entangleth himfeif with the cares of this life ; that 
he may pleafe him who hath called him to be a fol- 
dier." What! are not the myfteries of Jehovah 
Incarnate, and our redemption through his blood, 
fufficiently ennobling to occupy our individed at- 
tention ? Here is range, ample, unbounded range, 
for the moft fpeculative understanding, for the 
mod excurfive imagination. What nobler fubjecT; 
can occupy the refearch of mortals, than the myfte- 
ry of a triune Jehovah: Three in One: 
One in Three ? What more exalted theme than 
Cod, manifcjlzd in the flcjli ? That rnatchiefs, myf- 
terious name, fo full of grace, fo full of glory, Im- 
manuel ; uniting in itfelf, the uncreated, eternal 
excellencies of the God; the finite, frail properties 
of the man ? What fubjecl more elevating in itfelf, 
more interefting to us, than the fubftitution of the 
eternal Son in our covenant room ? He condemn- 



t 37 ) 

ed, that we might be acquitted ? He a man of for- 
rows, that we might partake ineffable joy ? The 
Son degraded to the condition of a fervant, that 
the (lave might be promoted to the dignity of fons ! 
Myfteries thefe, which the intellect of Gabriel, 
however enlarged, is too contracted to compre- 
hend ; and after the refearch of eternity, fhall not 
be fully explored. How dignified in itfelf ; how 
appropriate to every ambaffador of Jefus, was that 
refolution of the apoftle — " What things were gain 
to me •" whatever might fubferve my worldly eafe 
or interefl: ; whatever might promote my reputa- 
tion as a fcholar and philofopher j " thefe I counted 
lofs for Chrift." We behold the illuftrious cham- 
pion, taking each external advantage, nobly facrifi- 
cing it on the crofs of calvary, and defiring to glo- 
ry in nothing but Jefus Chrijl, and him crucified* 
That fame miniftry, which formed the delight, the 
boaft, of his own foul, he powerfully* preffed upon 



* The obligations impofed on candidates for the miniftry 
in the Epifcopal church, fo replete with found inftruction, and 
fo pertinent to our prefent purpofe, cannot be improperly in- 
ferred. «' They are required to have always painted on their 
remembrance, how great a treafnre was committed to their 
charge ; and to apply themfelves, wholly, to this one thing, and 
to draw all their cares, and ftudies this way, and to this end ; 
and that by their daily reading and weighing the fcriptures, they 
will ftudy to wax riper and ftronger in the miniftry." 

Burners Pafloral Care. — Page % * 



( 38 ) 

Timothy his fon : — « Till 1 come, give attention 
to reading, to exhortation, to doclrine. Neglect 
not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by 
prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the 
prefbytery. Meditate on thefe things ; give thyfelf 
wholly to them s that thy profiling may appear unto 
all," 

Permit me, reverend Fathers and Brethren, to 
trefpafs longer on your patience, by adverting to 
the high dignity and awful folemnity, of this ftew- 
ardfhip, committed to our truft. How honorable 
the condition of being workers together with Jeho- 
vah, in that mo ft fublime, moft aftonifhing, of his 
purpofes, the recovery of a perifhing world! To 
ftand as ambaffadors for the King of Kings; and 
by all the majefty of his authority, by all the en- 
dearments of his grace, entreat finners to be recon- 
ciled, to believe, and repent, and be faved! " The 
miniftry of reconciliation is given us." In holy 
admiration, may not each of us exclaim — Lord, 
what am I, that I fhould he thus diftinguiihed ; that 
to me the unfearchable riches mould be entrufted ! 
In holy gratitude, may we not adore with the apof- 
tle, " I thank Chrift Jefus our Lord," that, weak as 
I anf, worthlefs as I am, " he hath accounted me 
faithful ; putting me into the miniftry :" He hath 
committed to me that treafure ? by which my own 



( 39 ) 

foul may be enriched, and which enriches to im- 
mortal glory, all who receive it ! That Jehovah 
fhould fave any of our apoftate race, is a fubjeft: of 
wonder ; but that he fhould choofe one of this race, 
who is by nature equally guilty, equally polluted, 
equally abominable, and appoint him the inftru- 
ment of falvation to others, is a wonder that fur- 
pafTeth : It is a myflery of fovereignty, of grace, of 
condefcenfion, which excites our gratitude now, 
and muft fill all heaven with admiration through e- 
ternity. " O, the depth of the riches, both of the 
wifdom and knowledge of God ! How unfearcha- 
ble are his judgments, and his ways pad finding 
out ! For of hkn, and through him, and to him, are 
all things; to whom be glory forever. Amen," 

Again, bear with me, while we reflect on the 
awful folemnity of our office. To us, the fouls, 
the precious fouls of men, are now committed j 
and at our hands, if indolent or unfaithful, their 
damnation will finally be charged. Are we duly 
imprefled with this all-folemn confideration ? Do 
we occafionally throw our eyes over our flock, 
viewing each individual, each man, each woman, 
under our care, as a truft committed us of the liv- 
ing God ; as a candidate for an immortal detiiny, 
-either of glory, or of wrath ? Are we watching over 
them, M with prayers and tears, night and day, as 



( 40 ) 

thofe who mufl give an account ; that we may do 
it with joy and not with grief." Have we been, in 
no inftance chargeable, either through indifference 
or untendernefs, with the complaint urged againft 
the fhepherds of Ifrael ? " Ye eat the fat, and ye 
clothe with the wool, but ye feed not the flock, 
The difeafed have ye not ftrengthened j neither 
have ye healed that which was fick; neither have 
ye bound up that which was broken ; neither have 
ye brought again that which was driven away ; nei- 
ther have ye fought that which was loft." Are we 
careful to recommend, by every part of our deport- 
ment in private, thofe doclrines which we announce 
from the pulpit — Giving no offence in any thing, 
that the ministry be not blamed ; but in all things 
approving ourfelves as the minillers of God ; in la- 
bors, in watchings, by purenefs, by knowledge, by 
long fu fieri ng, by kindnefs, by the Holy Ghofl, by 
love unfeigned, by the word of truth, by the armour 
of righteoufnefs, upon the right hand and upon the 
left." If any man neglect the great falvation, he 
lhall not, he cannot efcape : But the damnation of 
the unholy, unprofitable fervant, mud be dreadful 
beyond defcription. While he is doomed to en- 
dure, in his own perfon, that worm which never 
dies, and thofe flames which mail never be quench- 
ed ; that worm fhall be envenomed, thofe flames 
infuriatedj by the blafphemies of others, brought to 



( 4i ) 



perdition through his inattention and floth. They 
will be eternally reviling him; gnafhing their teeth 
upon him, as chargeable with their deftru&ion, by 
not forewarning them of that place of torment. " O 
Lord, who is fufficient for thefe things ? O Lord, 
enter not into judgment with thy fervant ; for in thy 
fight fhall no flefh be juftified." 

ImprelTed with thefe confiderations, does it not 
become us to awake from our fioth ; to throw off 
every weight, whatever might embarrafs us in dif- 
charging the duties of our high vocation ; to keep 
every gift, every grace, in conftant, vigorous exer- 
cife ; to occupy, with unremitting diligence, each 
moment of our time ? Accurfed be that prefent eafe, 
which is indulged at the peril of never-ending pain. 
Let that gain be rejected, as worfe than lofs, which 
is obtained at the hazard of our own damnation, or 
the damnation of thofe committed to our care. — 
May thofe moments perifh from the record of our 
lives, which are wafted in idlenefs, in amufements, 
in worldly company, or worldly avocations ; while 
our brethren by nature are finking a prey to de- 
vouring flames. Let thofe honors wither in eter» 
rial difgrace, which are fought in purfuits foreign to 
our minifterial profeffion, while men are perijhing^ 
for whom Chrifi died; men who might have eternally 
adorned his mediatorial crown. By all the value 



( 42 ) 

of our own fouls ; by all the value of the fouls of 
others ; by the companions of a bleeding Saviour; 
by the folemnities of his fecond appearing • by the 
terrors of being cafl, as unprofitable Jervants, into 
outer darknefs, while others, our inferiors, it may be, 
in age, and opportunity, and office, are welcomed 
to the joys of their Lord ; let us be roufed to preach 
the word ; to remain inftant, in feafon, and out oj fca- 
fon; to make full proof of our minifilry. The Lord e- 
nab'e us all fo to run, that we may obtain the prize. 
May he render us inftrumental in turning many to 
righteoufnefs ; that through the riches of his grace, 
we may Jhine as ftars, and funs, in his everlajling 
kingdom. 

Called to be a (toward of the myfteries of 
God, I conclude, offering them to the reception of 
the family prefent. By the authority of the great 
Lord of the houfe, I this moment unlock thefe 
treafures, thefe in'exhauftible treafures, and tender 
them for the ufe, the enjoyment, of every man, of 
every woman, in this aflembly. Art thou in pov- 
erty ? I prefent thee unfearchable riches. Art 
thou naked ? I offer thee incorruptible clothing ; 
robes of everlafting righteoufnefs. Art thou in 
want ? I tender thee immortal bread ; that bread, 
of which he who partakes (hall hunger no more. 
Art thou in debt, bound over to the curfe of a bro- 
ken covenant ? I announce the jubilee of releafe : 



( 43 ) 

I offer thee a pardon, written in the blood of God, 
and fealed by a triune Jehovah. Art thou un- 
worthy ? I am warranted to tender all, of grace, 
free grace, abfo>ute grace, unconditional, unmerit- 
ed grace. Al! tbefe treafures of the kingdom, pre- 
cious as they are, coftly as they were to the eternal 
furety; all thefe treafures are as free to thee, as the 
grace of Jehovah can render them, or the lips of 
Jehovah can pronounce them. Would to God, I 
could prevail with you to receive them ! Would to 
God, I could perfuade every male, and every fe- 
male ; the bond and the free; the biack and the 
white ; the more pure and the more profligate ; to 
draw near, and accept this great falvation. t; The 
Spirit and the Bride fay, come : Let him that heareth 
Jay, come : Let him that is athirft, come ; and whofo* 
ever zuill, let him take the water of life, freely "We 
are ambafjadors for Chrijl ; as though God did be- 
Jeech you by us ; we pray you in Chrijl' s /lead ; be ye 
reconciled to God." 

Now to Him that is able to do exceeding a- 
bundantly, above all that we can afk or think; to 
this Lord Jefus, who purchafed, with the eternal 
Father, who elecled, and the ever-bleffed Spirit, 
who applies; the Author of all grace in time, and 
of all glory through eternity ; be afcribed worfhip 
and adoration, now and everlaftingly. Amen. 



4 



A SERIOUS AND AFFECTIONATE 



ADDRESS 

TO THE CITIZENS OF THE UNITED STATES, 

BY A SOCIETY LATELY ESTABLISHED FOR THE 



SUPPRESSION OF VICE AND IMMORALITY, 



Sin is the reproach, and if persevered in will be the destruction, of any people, 



Fellow Citizens, 

In proportion to the prevalence of vice and immorality in. 

any place, its inhabitants are in danger of temporal calamity and 
\ eternal destruction. Vice, in its own nature, leads to shame, dis- 
6 grace and misery— It debases the mind, takes off the restraints of 

conscience, weakens the obligations to social and relative duties, 
\- and opens the way for fraud, oppression and every species of vio- 
l lence. It is peculiarly dangerous on account of its diffusive and 
^insinuating qualities ; like leaven it soon, if not suppressed, leav- 
I eneth the whole lump, spreads itself thro* the whole mass of soci- 
f ety, and endangers every thing that ought to be near and dear to 
$ man. Every friend then to social order and happiness ought to 
I be an enemy to vice ; and should engage with heart and hand to 

suppress it. 

It is not only dangerous on account of its own baneful nature 
P and tendency ; but peculiarly so, because it provoketh the anger 
[ of God, and brings down upon man the vengeance of heaven, 
f God is angry with the wicked every day, and frequently executes 
upon them, even in this world, singular judgments. 

Now the only effectual barrier, against vice and immorality, is 
^ religion and its institutions. When, therefore the most important 
| religious institutions are disregarded, contemned and violated, there 
I is the greatest cause for the most serious alarm. The barrier 
, being removed the flood comes upon us irresistibly, and we are 
I swept not only to temporal but eternal destruction. 



2 



W e would observe, then, that the sabbath has always been con- 
sidered the great palladium, the grand safe-guard of morality, 
piety and religion. By enjoining upon them the observance of 
the sabbath, God distinguished the Jews from the Heathens. 
And to prove that it was one of the most important of Divine in- 
stitutions, God frequently promised them very great blessings if 
they revered it ; and as often denounced the most awful judg- 
ments if they violated it. Out of a great number we will select a 
iew of tlve promises — " Blessed is the man that keepeth the sab- 
u bath from polluting it. If thou turn away thy foot from the sab- 
" bath, from doing thy pleasure on my holy day, and call the sab- 
" bath a delight, then shalt thou delight thyself in the Lord, and I 
41 will cause thee to ride upon the high places of the earth, and 
" feed thee with the heritage of Jacob. And it shall come to pass, 
4< if ye diligently hearken unto me, saith the Lord, to bring in no 
" burden thro' the gates of this city on the sabbath day, but hallow 
" the sabbath day, to do no work therein ; then shall there enter 
u into the gates of this city, kings and princes sitting on the throne 
of David, riding in chariots and on horses, they and their prin- 
" ces, the men of Judah, and the inhabitants of Jerusalem ; and 
K this city shall remain forever." These are great and glorious 
promises both of temporal and eternal blessings. Hear now the 
threatenings denounced against the violation of the sabbath. 
Here too we shall make a very small selection. 

" Ye shall keep the sabbath : every one that defileth it, shall 
" surely be put to death. Whosoever doth any work on the sab- 
" bath day, he shall surely be put to death." And it was not only 
threatened against a man that was found gathering sticks on the 
sabbath day, that he should be put to death ; but by the direction 
of the Lord to Moses he was actually stoned to death by the con- 
gregation of Israel. And in the prophecy of Jeremiah, we read, 
" But if ye will not hearken unto me to hallow the sabbath day, and 
c< not to bear a burden, even entering in at the gates of Jerusalem 
t; on the sabbath day ; then will I kindle afire in the gates thereof, 
" and it shall devour the palaces of Jerusalem, and it shall not be 
<c quenched." And this was literally and awfully fulfilled at the 
final destruction of Jerusalem. Notwithstanding the utmost ex- 
ertions of the emperor Titus to save some of the most elegant 
buildings, and especially, the Temple, it was all reduced to ashes. 
And Nehemiah represents that the violation of the sabbath had 
been the cause of a former destruction of Jerusalem, and of the 
Jews being carried into a long, disgraceful and severe captivity. 
« Then (saith he,) Lcontended with the Nobles of Judah, and said 



3 



•« unto them, what evil thing is this that you do, and profane the 
" sabbath day ? Did not your fathers thus, and did not our God 
« bring all this evil upon us, and upon this city ; yet ye bring 
M more wrath upon Israel by profaning the sabbath.'* 

Christianity has changed the day, but except, that it has in- 
creased, it has not changed the obligation to the religious obser- 
vance of it. It has corrected the superstition and ceremonies of 
the Jews, directing christians to a spiritual service ; enforcing by 
higher motiv es, the devotion of a seventh part of our time to the 
glory of God and the Redeemer. Were they bound to keep ho- 
ly the seventh day to commemorate the creation or deliverance 
from Egyptian bondage ? Surely we are bound by much stronger 
motives to keep holy the first day of the week, to commemorate 
the work of Redemption, in the splendor of which all other works 
are eclipsed. Did they keep holy a day to commemorate the 
creation of a world to temporal life ? And shall not we keep ho- 
ly a day to commemorate the creation of a world to eternal life ? 
The two great objects of the sabbath ever have been and still shall 
be the same. The objects are these, to glorify God and to prepare 
man for an eternal sabbath in heaven. 

From these promises and threatenings we infer, not only that 
the violation of the sabbath is a crime, and will certainly be severely 
punished ; but also, that wherever it prevails, every other vice is 
let loose, and the people's iniquities become full, and call down 
upon them the just and awful vengeance of heaven. This is far- 
ther proved too by the history of the Jews and ©f every other 
nation where the sabbath is known. The sabbath being appointed 
immediately by God, and the observance of it, being peculiarly 
well calculated to make and cultivate deep impressions of God and 
divine things, and of the evil nature and dangerous consequences 
of sin, it is certainly to be expected, that, when men are hardened 
enough to disregard it ; and when such a strong barrier against 
vice is taken away, iniquity will come in like a flood. That this 
has always been the case, and that the wrath of God hi conse- 
quence hath been poured out, history unequivocally attests. 

■ When, therefore, we see the sacred institution of the sabbath 
generally violated and contemned, we have the greatest reason for 
the most serious alarm, Julian the Apostate and most bitter ene- 
my of Christianity did all he could to destroy it. He was of opinion 
and justly too, that if he succeeded in this, he secured success in 
the destruction of the christian religion. The matter then comes 
to this point— Are we willing that Christianity should be banished 



4 



from us, and that heathenism and worse than it, should be introdu- 
ced ? How was it, a few years ago, with a certain European Nati- 
on ? They for a while banished, as far as they could, the obser- 
vance of the sabbath, and consequently, Christianity. What was 
the consequence ? Read the history and shudder! Universal con* 
fusion, massacre and bloodshed immediately ensued ! All ranks 
and sexes were dragged to the scaffold, and crimsoned it with 
their blood ! Many previously had congratulated themselves upon 
the happy effects as they supposed of the introduction of what 
they called philosophy, another name for irreligion and deism ; 
but they became themselves the melancholy victims ! 

We who are advocates for the observance of the sabbath, and 
the suppression of vice and immorality, are considered by many, 
the greatest enemies to what they call the best interests of this 
land . But let our opponents prevail ; and behold the consequence ! 
a curse temporal and eternal upon you and your posterity ! Be 
assured we have your best interests in view, both for this and a 
future world. " Godliness has the piomise of the life that now is, 
<c and that which is to come." What selfish or earthly interest, 
as they calculate interest, can we have in view ? Nay, on the con- 
trary, we expose ourselves to scoff and derision ; to threats of pe- 
cuniary injury, and if they dare, to personal abuse and persecution. 
These things, however, we regard not, if we promote the good of 
man and the interest of religion. " If God be for us ,none can be 
" against us." 

Even the deist must admit, that God governs the world : and 
surely none should, none can expect to prosper in the direct viola- 
tion of his institutions. It should be duly considered, that we are 
transacting not only for ourselves, but for our children. Veterans 
may be able to withstand the enemy and conquer, whilst the raw 
and unexperienced would soon be foiled and worsted. If the 
young see vice and irreligion generally prevail, they will become 
familiar with them, and at length consider them innocent, and be 
carried away with the dectructive torrent. The beginning of vice 
is like the letting out of water ; at first it may be easily stopped ; 
but, if permitted to continue, it irresistibly inundates every thing 
in its way. If vice and immorality, then, were only beginning to 
prevail amongst us, it is high time for us to be at our posts. If 
our children sec the sabbath habitually and with impunity violated, 
they will grow up in irreverence for it, and consequently in heath- 
enism : for we have before proved, that there is no Christianity 
wftboiit the observance of the sabbath, Every man, then, who 



5 



consents to the violation of it, consents to the destruction of religi- 
on, and to the prevalence of vice of every description ; and who 
ever wilfully and habitually violates it himself, lifts his hand and 
strikes as heavy a blow as he can for the same fatal purposes. 

Were we attempting to prevent the propagation of a severe 
and mortal disease, to appease the anger of a powerful Prince, or 
to exclude the devouring beasts of the forest, we would be highly 
commended, and have many, doubtless, to unite with us. Our 
objects are much more important. We are endeavouring to pre- 
vent the extension of sin, which threatens not only the body with 
temporal ; but soul and body with eternal death. We wish to 
put a stop to the devastations of the monster Vice, and the roar- 
ing Lion, which is going about seeking whom he may devour, 
and to ward off the vengeance of God, the King of kings and Lord 
of lords. " He has bent his bow, and made it ready : he hath pre- 
« pared for him the instruments of death." You perhaps may 
see none of these evils threatening you: Your not seeing them 
however makes them no less certain. The bird on the tree is 
never more insensible of danger, than when the piece of the fow- 
ler is levelled for its destruction ; yet its danger is no less for its 
not seeing it : nay, it is increased, for if it had known, it might 
have made its escape. But we see your danger, and if we did not 
warn you of it and endeavour to rescue you from it, we would be 
monsters in society. 

Were Babylon and Nineveh destroyed ! Were Sodom and 
Gomorrha consumed with fire and brimstone from heaven ! It 
was because vice and immorality prevailed to a great degree, and 
provoked the Almighty. Did the Jews suffer pestilence and fa- 
mine! Did the heavens become brass over their heads andtheearth 
iron under their feet ! Were they frequently carried away into 
disgraceful and severe captivity i Was Jerusalem, their glory and 
their boast, at length totally destroyed ! Were its walls and its 
superb temple razed to the foundation I Did it exhibit no specta- 
cle within but massacre and death, and none without, but gibbets 
and crosses, and thousands of victims, expiring on them in groans 
and shrieks, and cries and blood ! All these things befel the Jews, 
on account of their violation of God's laws, and especially of the 
sabbath ; on account of their abuse of their peculiar privileges, 
their irreligion, impenitence and infidelity. 

We as a Nation, have been highly favored by a kind providence, 
and have greatly prospered. Within a few years we have risen 
from poverty and insignificance in the scale of Nations, to a great 



6 



degree of wealth and respectability. Many important spiritual 
and temporal blessings have been richly conferred upon us. 
From our happy land, " the darkness, that covered the earth, and 
" the gross darkness which overwhelmed the people, hath fled 
" away," beyond, far beyond the cloud capp'd mountain : and the 
sun of righteousness, the light of the gospel shines upon us with 
meridian and uneclipsed splendor. Here no altars burn to Idols ; 
no temples are erected to demons — Here the hearts of mothers 
are not pierced, nor their nerves convulsed, with the cries of their 
children, expiring in flames, as offerings to dumb Idols — Here the 
sword of persecution is sheathed; the flames of martyrdom are ex- 
tinguished, and every person, unmolested, may worship God ac- 
cording to the dictates of his own conscience. Whilst many Na- 
tions are harrassed with war in all its ghastly terrors, we enjoy 
peace witrf all its blessings. In Europe you may see armies in 
numbers equal to locustb ; (but in destruction infinitely worse,) 
entering populous and flourishing countries—Terror, dismay and 
consternation wild go before them ; devastation and violence, car- 
nage and death accompany them ; pain, distress and famine, pale 
and direful follow them . Their plains are deluged with blood 
and covered with carnage ; and the mountains reecho the shrieks, 
the sighs and the groans of the wounded and dying. Great indeed 
then is the contrast, between our situation and that of Europe. 
Truly numerous and great are our blessings and privileges as a 
Nation. 

Do we not then owe much gratitude to Heaven ? Is it not the 
Lord, who hath thus prospered us ? But what returns have we 
made ? Have we duly appreciated and improved our privileges I 
Do we reverence God's ordinances and hallow his sabbaths I Are 
vice, irreligion and infidelity ashamed to show their heads amongst 
us ? or do they greatly abound and triumph, and are the sacred name 
and holy day of the Lord almost universally profaned ? If the latter 
be the fact, our situation is truly dangerous and awful. " It will 
" be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judg- 
" ment than it will be for us. Thou Capernaum, who hast been 
" exalted to heaven shalt be sunk down to hell." This threatening 
is denounced against us, " If ye will not hearken unto me saiththe 
" Lord, to hallow the sabbath day, and not to bear a burden on the 
" sabbath day ; then will I kindle a fire in thy gates, and it shall 
" not be quenched." 

Is it not then high time for us, as citizens to awake out of our 
sleep, and to open our eyes 1 Do we see the clouds thickening, 
the tempest blackening ; and the lightenings beginning to flash I 



Be assured evil times are coming, times fraught with direful calami- 
ty and distress, destruction and death I We then earnestly invite 
and conjure all friends to morality, virtue and piety to rally- 
round our standard. Christians come forth boldly and quit your- 
selves like men. Does the enemy come in like a flood, set your 
faoes like a flint against him. Let us like Jonah preach repen- 
tance to Nineveh, if peradventure she may repent, and yet for a 
while be saved from the vengeance of heaven. Or, like righteous 
Lot in Sodom, let us make a bold stand against vice and irreligion ; 
and if after our united and zealous endeavors we cannot succeed ; 
if the wicked will not hear nor forbear, they must be left to perish 
in their sins, and their accumulated guilt must fall on their own 
heads. 

To conclude, we earnestly warn all the licentious and profane, 
and especially the habitual and notorious violaters of the sabbath, 
to break off' their sins by repentance, and to turn unto the Lord 
that he may have mercy upon you, and unto our God that he may 
abundantly pardon you. Flee for mercy before it be forever hid 
from your eyes. We warn you by the terrors of the Divine law: 
W e conjure you by the vengeance of God. " His arm is not 
" shortened that it cannot save neither is it shortened that it 
cannot destroy. " He will by no means clear the guilty ; and he 
44 is a consuming fire to the wicked." Tho* you may escape the 
penalty of human, you cannot escape the penalty of the Divine 
Laws. Tho' the law of man may not reach you for the violation, 
the law of God will punish you for violating his sabbaths. What 
does it profit a criminal to escape for awhile, if his punishment be 
severe in proportion to its delay. Be assured the time is fast 
coming when you will throw to the moles and to the bats all the 
unjust gains, which you have made by breaking the laws of God 
or of man. Death stands at the door and knocks: With its sum- 
mons in your hands would you dare to profane the holy name or 
day of the Lord ! How soon this may be the case God only knows. 
— Keep death and hell, judgment and eternity always before you, 
and dare not to sin. 

Finally, we conjure every person to break off* his sins by re* 
pentance, and so to live and fulfil his duty in the station in which 
he is placed, as he would wish he had done ; nay, would give ten 
thousand worlds that he had done, when he comes to die ; when 
he appears at the Bar of God. 



FINIS. 



